Boise State is continuing to address a shortage of housing options for incoming students, breaking ground today on a new residence hall near Albertsons Library.
While the new 450-bed facility will not completely address the community-wide shortage, it will add to options for students looking to live on campus. The building is designed to intentionally foster community among residents and provide a connection to the river, the outdoors and the greater Boise community. The new residence hall will have three wings, two with six stories and one with five. The first level will split to allow pass-throughs and not hinder traffic flows on the Greenbelt.
“We are always seeking to meet the needs of our students, and we know from research that first-year students achieve greater success when they can benefit from the opportunities that living on a vibrant university campus provides,” said Boise State President Marlene Tromp. “This spectacular new building will be perfectly situated for academic success and will give our students incredible access to Boise’s beautiful outdoor spaces. We are so excited to welcome more students home to Boise State.”
Designs for the new facility prioritize safety and security of students, with all student rooms on the second floor and higher. The building is designed to meet LEED Silver energy efficient standards and the total building area is approximately 98,000 square feet.
The building will be open by the Fall 2025 semester for incoming freshmen. This is the first new residence hall to be built since the Honors College’s Sawtooth Hall was built in 2017.
The project is expected to cost $58.5 million which will be funded by institutional reserves and bond debt of $43 million. The source of repayment for the debt is rental income from the residence hall.
Plans for subsequent student housing will be refined in Boise State’s upcoming Campus Master Plan update. This will update strategies for student housing development over the next decade.
